Hi Neighbor,
Do you ever arrive at the end of a year and wonder what on earth happened? February feels like forever ago, and summer seems like a hazy dream.
This is why I loooove a good year-end “best of” list! Suddenly the year comes into focus, and things feel nice and orderly—unlike the holidays, which are just bananas. Sometimes these lists even boost my confidence, especially if I’ve read a top book or seen a buzzy movie…(“Hey look at me! I’m cool; I have taste!”).
Most of the time these lists land in in-boxes and social media feeds from a zillion different sources so I’ve done you a solid by compiling a few of my favorites here. Consider it my holiday gift to you...
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Til next year,
Kate
We wish you a wonderful holiday season, filled with laughter, love and peace. And wishing you a new year filled with happiness!
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Baldwin School • Lionville Natural Pharmacy • Friends' Central School • Valley Forge Educational Services • Adam Mechanical • Luisa Ramondo • Wolf Performing Arts Center • Gladwyne Montessori
SPONSORED CONTENT
Embrace the Power of Peptides
-By Michael Briggs
The 'Longevity Movement,' as I like to call it, is not a new concept but one that continues to gain momentum. As I write this article enjoying the last few weeks of my forties, I look forward to my fifth decade and beyond. It’s no secret that many of us want to remain as active, vital and vibrant as we can for as long as we are able. Technology in the form of AI has assisted the supplement industry recently to provide us a new tool in the arsenal to defend against aging. Along with a team of scientists, a Fava bean extract called Peptistrong™ has emerged.
Working backwards from goals of increasing muscle mass, improving exercise performance and recovery and decreasing muscle soreness, the team isolated multiple peptides that are naturally contained within Fava beans. As it wants to propagate in nature, this blend cannot simply be obtained from eating more Fava beans. However, in just 4 capsules per day containing 2.4g Peptistrong™, numerous positive impacts were observed in studies. Some of the results include a 144% increase in muscle recovery, 54% increase in athletic performance recovery, and a 47% decrease in muscle fatigue. I can personally attest to the lack of soreness observed from consistent use of this product over the past 6 weeks. Wishing everyone a joyous holiday where we all age gracefully!
Michael Briggs, PharmD, CNC, ICCT serves as COO of Lionville Natural Pharmacy and has been published in The Professional Guide to Complementary & Alternative Therapies, Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Older Adults. The Nursing Drug Handbook Series, and Pharmacotherapy.
Learn more at lionrx.com.
TOUR & EXPLORE
Home for the Holidays
Sunday, December 22
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Stoneleigh
During this exclusive holiday open house, explore Stoneleigh’s spectacular Tudor Revival-style mansion adorned with seasonal, nature-inspired décor. Hot cocoa, treats and live music too.
Details
Holiday History Stroll
Sunday, December 22
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
History Center, West Chester
Immerse yourself in West Chester’s festive holiday atmosphere on this 90- minute walking tour. Costumed guides will highlight West Chester’s early churches, department stores and cultural sites, sharing what the winter holidays meant to the people of West Chester from the late 1700s to the early 1900s. Details
A Merry Laurel Hill Christmas
Saturday, December 21
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Laurel Hill East
This tour focuses on individuals laid to rest at Laurel Hill with interesting connections to holiday events. Details
Holidays at Brandywine
Now through Sunday, January 5
9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Brandywine Museum of Art, Chadds Ford
The Brandywine Railroad is up and running for the season, featuring model trains traversing over 2,000 feet of tracks. Details
DOWN ON THE FARM
Christmasland
Weekends in December
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Linvilla Orchards, Media
Every weekend there is a Winter Makers Market with vendors and live music plus ice skating, axe throwing, and of course, a visit with Santa. Details
Walking Wonderland Light Show
Now through Saturday, December 21
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings
Aradar Farm, Collegeville
Bring the family for a magical stroll through the light show. Check the calendar for special events each weekend. Details
Meet the Menagerie @ Harriton
Friday, December 27 (weather permitting)
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Harriton Farm, Bryn Mawr
Head over to the Farmyard at Harriton for a special meet and greet with the chickens and goats plus other fun activities. Details
UP ALL NIGHT (OR NOT)
Midnight in the Square
Tuesday, December 31
7:00 PM
Downtown Kennett Square
A joyous holiday celebration featuring music, food and fun. Don’t miss the famous mushroom drop to welcome the new year!
Details
New Year’s Eve at Longwood
Tuesday, December 31
2:00 PM
Longwood Gardens
Ring in the new year with musical treats around every corner.
Details
Countdown to Noon
Tuesday, December 31
11:00 AM
Ardmore Music Hall
A NYE daytime family jam featuring music by Alex & The Kaleidoscope, arts and crafts and a delicious brunch. Details
New Year’s Eve Celebration
Tuesday, December 31
11:00 PM
State Street, Media
Media’s iconic glowing orb drops over 100 feet above Spasso Italian Grille to mark the start of 2025. Details
A SOLSTICE TO SAVOR
Winter Solstice Wander
Saturday, December 21
8:30 AM
Morris Arboretum
Enjoy a rare opportunity to visit the garden early on the shortest day of the year. Details
Solstice Celebration
Saturday, December 21
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education
Make winter wreaths, take a sunset hike, listen to wintertime Lenape stories and more on the shortest day of the year. Music and hot chocolate too! Details
Winter Solstice
Saturday, December 21
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
State Street, Media
Celebrate light and goodwill on the darkest night of the year! Enjoy luminary lights, live music, nature-inspired crafts and warm drinks.
Details
OVER THE HOLIDAYS?
Book Swap
December 29
1:00 PM
Workhorse Brewing
Grab a brew, swap some books, and mingle with some fellow book lovers! Bring gently used book(s) to trade. Details
Beauty and the Beast
Thru December 29
This “tale as old as time” is filled with spectacular costume and set opportunities or, even more simply staged, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast offers a great opportunity to bring your entire community together for family theatre at its best. Details
SAVE THE RINK!
The Philadelphia Skating Club and Humane Society in Ardmore needs your help by December 31st! Watch the story here!
To donate visit the website here.
PARTNER CONTENT
ACCTs of Love Saves Lives
Angels Retreat program “ACCTs of Love," established in August 2024, focuses on second chances for dogs suffering from Parvo virus. They are scheduled to be euthanized but ACCT's of Love provides treatment.
The newly developed monoclonal antibody treatment is highly effective and is the difference between life and death for many dogs in our area. After successful treatment, the now healthy dogs are available for adoption and the happy ending they deserve.
To contribute to Angel Retreat's ACCTs Of Love fund to save more dogs at risk of euthanasia please donate:
Venmo • PayPal
Text PARVO to 53-555
Learn more about this program and other special programs
Angels Retreat website
361 Corinne Road, West Chester/ Hours by appointment
PA Kennel License NP17335
Contact: adoptions@angelsretreat.org 302.598.9023
Adoptable pets
CHANUKAH HITS
Chanukah Celebration
December 26, 6:00 PM
Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia
Join the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia's Center City Kehillah for an evening filled with music, prayer, candle lighting and sufganiyot (jelly donuts)! Advanced registration is requested by Monday, Dec. 23 so we have enough treats for everyone! Walk-ins welcome. Details
Being ____ at Christmas!
Wednesday, December 25
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
Fill in your own blank at the Weitzman, where a day of family fun awaits. Details
CHANUKAH VILLAGE
Media Court House, Media
December 29
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
State Street in Media will be transformed into a MAGICAL CHANUKAH VILLAGE! Cookie Decorating, DIY Dreidels, Chanukah Nails, Face Art, Chanukah Story Time, Latkes, Donuts, The Great Chanukah Gelt Drop, Crafts, Grand Menorah Lighting at the Courthouse & Much More! Details
#SANTASLEIGHS
Santa on the Firetruck
Saturday, December 21, 3:00 PM
Downtown West Chester
This is the last Saturday of the season to catch Santa touring the borough on a firetruck. Details
Mini Sessions with Santa and Dominick the Donkey
Weekends now through Sunday, December 22
Northern Starr Farm, Trappe
Book a twenty minute session for pictures in Santa’s sleigh and with Dominick the Italian Christmas Donkey. Bring your own camera. Details
MORE SANTA SIGHTINGS
Check out our comprehensive holiday guide, filled with all the events in and around our area and updated daily!
HOLIDAY LIGHTS • HOLIDAY SHOWS
FESTIVE FUN • HOLIDAY SHOPPING
SANTA SIGHTINGS • FESTIVE RUNS
PARADES • HANUKKAH HAPPENINGS
KWANZAA CELEBRATIONS • NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS
